Congratulates Dr. Peter Wells (Posted On: Saturday, January 26, 2013)

Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson was pleased to visit local family physician Dr. Peter Wells, MD, CCFP, FCFP Thursday congratulating him on having been chosen as Ontario's recipient of the Family Physician of the Year award by the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

"This is truly a fitting recognition of Dr. Wells service to our area, our province and Canada in general," said Wilson. "I join with local residents and Canadians in congratulating Dr. Wells on having received this very prestigious award."

The College of Family Physicians of Canada only recognizes one family physician in each province per year with this distinction. The award is given to doctors who have demonstrated outstanding patient care combined with a significant contribution to the health and well being of local communities.

"Dr. Wells is responsible for the success of one of the best physician recruitment programs in provincial history," said Wilson. "I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with Dr. Wells throughout the years to help rural residents get the physicians they deserve."

Dr. Wells created the Rural Ontario Medical Program (ROMP) that works to provide rural areas with home-grown physicians to ease the province's ever-increasing doctor shortage. The program has experienced substantial success over the years, including placing more than 1500 clinical rotations last year alone in much needed underserved communities across the province.

"85 to 100 percent of medical recruits are staying in the local communities where they trained through ROMP," said Wilson. "This is an excellent program and we're all very proud that Dr. Wells chose to develop this program in Collingwood for the benefit for all Ontarians."